Aug. 6, 2016
By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
CANTON, Ohio - In a fiery speech reminiscent of his playing style, Kevin Greene paid tribute to Auburn at Saturday's Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony.
"The good Lord has smiled upon me my entire life," Greene told the crowd. "A recurring theme is that He surrounded me with people of high character and great integrity, and they have all left an indelible mark on the very fabric of my life."
After playing intramural football for three seasons for the Army ROTC team, Greene walked on in 1983, playing special teams on Auburn's SEC Championship team.
In 1984, Greene led the SEC in sacks, despite not starting until the final four games of the season.
"I go on to Auburn, and I get a chance to practice against a fellow by the name of Steve Wallace," Green said. "Steve Wallace was a beast at offensive tackle. He would go on to play 12 years in the National Football League, three-time All-Pro. He won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers protecting Joe Montana and Steve Young.
"And this man in practice, he beat me down. No doubt he did, and I felt the wrath of my position coach, Joe Whitt. That's okay, I learned.
Kevin Greene paid tribute to his former Auburn teammate, Bo Jackson." style="width:100%; height:auto;" class="imported_image" legacy-link="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/sports/m-footbl/auto_a_storywide/12022184.jpeg"> Kevin Greene paid tribute to his former Auburn teammate, Bo Jackson.
"And I practiced against another fellow at Auburn everybody would know. Nis name is Vincent "Bo" Jackson. Everybody knows Bo. I'm going to be honest. Bo, he ran my (tail) over. But I've got a peace about it, honestly, because he ran a lot of (tails) over. Again I felt the wrath of my position coach, but I learned.
"Surrounded by great teammates, John Dailey, Gerald Robinson, Lionel "Little Train" James and David King. And they all made me better. They helped me find my way as a walk-on there with the Auburn Tigers."
Drafted in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Rams in 1985, Green played 15 seasons in the NFL. His 160 sacks rank third in NFL history, behind Bruce Smith and Reggie White.
Greene is Auburn's second Pro Football Hall of Fame member, joining Frank Gatski, who played for the Tigers in 1945 after serving in the Army in World War 2.
Kevin Greene said it was a blessing to play at Auburn for Pat Dye.
"It was a blessing," Greene said. "It was a blessing playing for Pat Dye and his staff down at Auburn. And what I learned during those days, those hot, tough days down on the Plains would literally last me an eternity in the NFL.
"I love Auburn," he said. "I am Auburn, and War Damn Eagle to all my brothers and sisters out there. I love you all."
"I love Auburn. I am Auburn."
Congratulations Kevin Greene, 2016 Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee#WarEaglehttps://t.co/ZtfZ9HP05b-- WarEagle Productions (@AuburnVideo) August 7, 2016
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer